Chapter 178: I Either Don't Compete

At Lunar Lake, a sudden change occurred.

A massive silver-white figure with a gaping maw swallowed Martial Artists whole.

“Run!”

Panicked shouts echoed as Martial Artists desperately surged upward.

A mid-stage Star Spirit Martial Artist channeled his Star Power, repelling the surrounding Moonforce-infused water, only to see a colossal claw descending upon him.

A thunderous explosion erupted, Star Power surged, and the mid-stage Star Spirit Martial Artist tumbled violently in the lake, his blood staining the Lunar Lake crimson.

Without hesitation, the mid-stage Star Spirit Martial Artist steadied himself and rushed toward the cold pool.

Boom!

The lake water surged, Moonforce-infused water churned backward, and the claw reappeared, enveloping the mid-stage Star Spirit Martial Artist.

Faced with imminent danger and the threat of death, the mid-stage Star Spirit Martial Artist was terrified, filled with deep regret for not heeding the black-clad man’s warning.

The other Martial Artists also felt regret, while some who had been devoured didn’t even have the chance for remorse.

Boom!

The lake water churned once more as Moonlight Essence cascaded down. A sword light parted the pool’s waters, arriving at the Lunar Lake and instantly striking the claw.

Boom!

A terrifying shockwave erupted, directly flinging the Star Spirit Martial Artist away.

The other Martial Artists, with slightly weaker strength, spewed blood wildly. Two of the luckier ones were blasted directly onto the cold pool’s surface.

“Who?”

The mid-stage Star Spirit Martial Artist’s tumbling body halted as he was lifted by a black-clad man.

“I told you all not to come. Leave quickly.”

The black-clad man tossed him toward the cold pool, unleashing Moonforce from within his body, splitting it into countless sword lights that slashed toward the Star Demon.

Boom!

As the sword lights descended, Moonforce-infused water surged, and the Star Demon was blasted to the bottom of the lake.

“Run!”

Seizing the opportunity, the Martial Artists in the lake escaped the Lunar Lake.

Splash!

Suddenly, several massive silver-white figures burst from the lake surface, devouring the lagging Martial Artists.

The black-clad man brandished his sword, Moon Laurel Leaves swayed, hazy moonlight scattered, and sword energy rained down as he retreated.

“Save… save me…”

“Don’t leave, help…”

Several Martial Artists in the lake struggled violently, their eyes filled with desperate hope that the black-clad man would intervene.

But before their words even finished, gaping maws swallowed them whole.

“Can’t save them, mid-stage Star Spirit.”

The black-clad man sighed softly and surged up to the cold pool.

The several Star Demons that had just appeared were all mid-stage Star Spirit!

Moreover, they were too far away, and he couldn’t reach them in time to rescue.

Since he couldn’t save them, he wouldn’t risk his own life. Being a good person was fine, but dying for strangers was out of the question.

Though confident in his own strength, he wasn’t arrogant enough to believe he could instantly annihilate this group of Star Demons in the Lunar Lake without triggering that sword energy.

The silver-white Star Demons devoured the Martial Artists and charged directly into the cold pool.

The black-clad man shifted his sword light, scattering countless Moonlight Essence that transformed into sword energy, sealing off the cold pool.

Boom!

Star Power erupted from below, violent shockwaves surged, and the black-clad man rode the momentum upward, catching up with the escaping Martial Artists. Wrapping them in Star Power, he swiftly advanced.

Splash!

Emerging from the water pool, the black-clad man tossed them onto the ground.

“Th-thank you for saving us. I am Xu Xinghe of the Xu family. May I ask your name, benefactor? I will surely repay you in the future.”

The mid-stage Star Spirit Martial Artist stood up and bowed respectfully.

“Thank you for saving us. Our earlier words were ignorant. Please do not take them to heart.”

Four Martial Artists stood up, speaking with utmost courtesy.

The black-clad man looked at them calmly and said, “Consider it a transaction. I saved your lives. Give me the Star Stones, and we’ll call it even.”

Of the entire group, only these five remained now, and he had only been capable of rescuing these five.

“Benefactor, you speak too kindly. Star Stones are merely worldly possessions.”

Xu Xinghe directly took out the Star Stones and handed them over: “I didn’t bring many with me, only these three hundred Fifth Rank High-Grade ones. Please accept them, benefactor.”

“Each of us only has a little over a hundred Fifth Rank Mid-Grade stones. Could the benefactor please tell us your name and location? I will deliver them to you afterward,” one Martial Artist said.

“No need.” Jiang Changkong accepted the Star Stones and replied indifferently.

“Benefactor, please tell us. We will surely repay you generously in the future,” Xu Xinghe quickly added.

“Jiang Changyue.”

The black-clad figure dropped the name, moonlight shimmering at his feet as he vanished.

“Jiang Changyue?” Xu Xinghe murmured, his eyes widening in surprise. “It’s actually him?”

“Who is he? Brother Xu, do you know him?” the four Martial Artists asked urgently.

“I don’t know him personally, but I’ve heard of him. Yuntian Mountain died at his hands, and it’s said it took only a single move. He is also extremely close to Jiang Changkong.”

Xu Xinghe spoke gravely.

He only knew a little about this matter, not the full details.

The four Martial Artists’ expressions shifted: “Jiang Changkong? The one the Lin, Yun, and Jin families are all searching for?”

“Exactly. For now, let’s head back. This place isn’t safe. If Star Demons break out, we’ll be in trouble.”

Xu Xinghe nodded, casting a fearful glance at the cold pool before leading them away quickly.

As the group departed, the black-clad figure emerged from the weeds.

“Over seven hundred Fifth Rank Star Stones harvested. This wasn’t a wasted effort, though it’s a pity about those who died.”

Jiang Changkong shook his head. If each of the deceased Martial Artists had carried over a hundred stones, the loss would have been significant.

Unfortunately, he couldn’t save them.

As for their talk of repaying his kindness, he didn’t take it to heart at all. He only wanted the Star Stones.

The Taiyin Cold Stone couldn’t be mined now. For the time being, he would head to the research institute to dispose of the cold stone and the Star Demons he had recently killed.

Suddenly, he realized that the arrival of these people wasn’t entirely a bad thing.

The Star Stones they carried were far more plentiful than those obtained from killing Star Demons.

It was just a shame that he couldn’t bring himself to rob people without cause.

Jiang Changkong removed his black robe and, under the cover of night, made his way to the research institute’s outpost.

The outpost was already under construction. It was no longer a stone hut but a house built from an unknown alloy.

“Built this quickly?”

Jiang Changkong looked at the semi-circular building, which resembled an inverted bowl.

“This is just temporary housing. The real outpost hasn’t been established yet.”

A passage opened in the circular bowl, and Tang Ruoxi stepped out from inside.

Jiang Changkong peered inside, where it was brightly lit, and the sound of laughter and conversation drifted out.

“Are there people inside?” Jiang Changkong asked.

“President An, Heng Yongxing, and the others are all here,” Tang Ruoxi replied.

“Haven’t the Heng and Li families sent anyone yet?” Jiang Changkong inquired.

“Not for now. I heard that major forces in Anding Province are collectively protesting, claiming the mineral vein belongs to Anding Province. They likely won’t be able to come for the next couple of days. There will be a few days of wrangling. Now that the research institute has withdrawn from the competition, they want to ask the institute for help.”

Tang Ruoxi explained.

“Then they are bound to be disappointed. Professor Yun won’t help anyone,” Jiang Changkong said calmly.

Tang Ruoxi nodded: “You’re right. Professor Yun is, after all, a person of Pingan City. If she helps anyone, it will be her own people.”

As the head of the research institute, Professor Yun didn’t need to seek any backing—the Federation was her support.

Moreover, even if the Heng and Li families obtained the mineral vein, they wouldn’t be able to relocate their forces here in the future.

When the time comes and both families have taken their benefits, they’ll just dust off their hands and leave. Professor Yun’s research institute will then fall out of favor.

“Changkong, have you decided whether you’ll help me?” Heng Yongxing asked with a smile.

“Changkong, we’re brothers. Help me,” Li Changtian said. He and Heng Yongxing were now competitors as well.

“If I don’t contend, I won’t contend at all. But if I do, I contend only for myself,” Jiang Changkong said calmly, his voice firm as he declined their invitations.